THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

UK releases new documents on ex-US envoy Mandelson Among the more than 1,000 pages of documents was a note from Peter Mandelson telling then UK foreign secretary that the government would “never regret” giving him the job.

Mandelson criticised Starmer’s lack of ‘verve’ and tendency to buckle under pressure <p>Criticisms revealed in major release of files relating to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to US</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/01/peter-mandelson-documents-published-keir-starmer-labour-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Peter Mandelson exchanged WhatsApp messages with a senior cabinet minister criticising Keir Starmer’s lack of “verve” and tendency to buckle under pressure, suggesting the prime minister should behave in a more “Trumpian” fashion.</p><p>The former US ambassador said Number 10 was “beleaguered and bereft” and that the public were “crying out for leadership”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/01/mandelson-criticised-starmer-lack-of-verve-buckle-under-pressure-files-released">Continue reading...</a>

Tories accuse Starmer of not revealing all his Mandelson messages – UK politics live <p>Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart says it ‘beggars belief’ there were not more exchanges between Mandelson and the PM</p><p>Good morning. Keir Starmer is chairing cabinet today as Labour MPs mull over the coverage of the Peter Mandelson files. In terms of revelations relating to Mandelson himself, the impact is probably not as bad as many MPs feared; Politico <a href="https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/the-pdf-induced-hangover/">quotes </a>one official as saying the mood last night was at the “top end” of expectations. Here is our main story about the data release, by <strong>Henry Dyer and Pippa Crear.</strong></p><p>There will be more coverage today.</p><p>There’s a lot of stuff that’s missing. Anybody who’s looked at these 1,500 pages will see acres and acres of white space, these constellations of asterisks, huge amounts of redactions.</p><p>Now, some of that is fine because it’s national security issues, our relationship with the Americans.</p><p>It beggars belief that there were so few exchanges between Mandelson and the prime minister. There’s almost nothing in…

Mandelson files reveal Labour party is riddled with doubts and infighting <p>Documents were published to reveal what ministers knew about his links to Epstein, but instead exposed government rifts</p><p>Peter Mandelson wrote to David Lammy on 18 November 2024, making a simple promise to the foreign secretary.</p><p>“If you were minded to appoint me [as ambassador to Washington],” he said, “I would make sure you never regret it.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/01/mandelson-files-reveal-labour-party-riddled-with-doubts-infighting">Continue reading...</a>

UK publishes new Mandelson files, raising heat on PM Starmer The UK government released a vast trove of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, in a move that threatens to cause fresh damage to Keir Starmer’s faltering premiership. More than 1,500 pages of documentation were published on the British government’s website just after 2pm. They include emails, text messages and other exchanges between government ministers, aides and Mandelson in the run-up to his appointment as US envoy, a post he held from February to September...

Mandelson received sensitive Foreign Office briefings before vetting finished <p>Revelations appear in second tranche of released files about Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador</p><p>Peter Mandelson was receiving sensitive security briefings about the Foreign Office’s work, and was in discussions with the head of MI6, before he had completed the developed vetting process, newly released documents reveal.</p><p>Declassified emails show the ambassador designate and Richard Moore, the former chief of MI6 – a role known as “C” – had agreed to meet in early January 2025 before Mandelson went to Washington.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/01/mandelson-received-sensitive-foreign-office-briefings-before-vetting-finished">Continue reading...</a>

U.K. releases second batch of files on Mandelson's appointment as U.S. Ambassador The release resurfaces a saga that has weakened and embarrassed PM Starmer over the nine months since Bloomberg News exposed the extent of Mr. Mandelson’s ties with the late pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein

Starmer’s chief secretary consoled Mandelson after dismissal as US ambassador, undisclosed texts show <p>Darren Jones’s messages include requests for advice on the reshuffle and remarks about former business secretary Jonathan Reynolds</p><p>The prime minster’s close ally Darren Jones sent his commiserations to Peter Mandelson after he was sacked as US ambassador in messages that were not disclosed as part of the humble address release.</p><p>Jones’s texts also included requests for advice on the reshuffle and disobliging comments about the then business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and the influence of trade unions.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/04/starmer-darren-jones-peter-mandelson-us-ambassador-texts">Continue reading...</a>

Mandelson private messages to be released today – UK politics live <p>Sources predict ‘toe-curling’ revelations as more than 1,000 pages of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador to be published</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/31/mandelson-files-no-mitigation-of-security-concerns-us-ambassador">Mandelson files show no mitigation of security concerns</a></p></li></ul><p>Good morning. Many people despair at the quality of governance in Britain at the moment, but in one respect we are living through a golden age; if you are interested in contemporary history, and learning about what actually happens at the heart of government, then you can now – sometimes – access the sort of information never available before.</p><p>Today the government is publishing a mass of information – apparently running to three volumes, and more than 1,000 pages – containing the private messages Peter Mandelson exchanged with government ministers and officials when he was ambassador to the US, and before his appointment. Last month a minister <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/may/19/labour-leadership-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-iran-hs2-…